Addis Ababa, September 9, 2025 (FMC) – Kenyan President William Ruto today confirmed Kenya’s readiness to sign an expanded power purchase agreement with Ethiopia to offtake surplus electricity from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), following its historic inauguration earlier today.
The dam, Africa’s largest hydroelectric facility with an estimated capacity of 6,450 megawatts, was fully financed by Ethiopian citizens, showcasing the nation’s commitment to self-reliance and continental progress.
“The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a bold affirmation of Africa’s ability to marshal its own resources and shape its destiny,” President Ruto said during the inauguration ceremony. “We believe that no country should be denied the opportunity to unlock a vast resource such as the one we are witnessing today.”
President Ruto praised Ethiopians for delivering the GERD without relying on foreign debt or external support, calling the achievement a “living example of regional integration” and a model for other African nations.
He also highlighted the growing partnership between Kenya and Ethiopia in clean energy, noting that securing additional power from the GERD will enhance Kenya’s industrial zones, ICT hubs, and broader economic agenda, particularly during periods of drought.
The Kenyan leader emphasized the Pan-African significance of the project, pointing out that over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity and nearly one billion lack clean cooking solutions.
“The GERD provides a blueprint for scaling similar transformative projects across Africa and bridging the energy divide,” he said, stressing the importance of inclusive development for women, children, and rural communities.
President Ruto drew parallels between Ethiopia’s domestically financed development initiatives and Kenya’s own housing projects, underscoring that both countries are proving that sustainable growth can be pursued without external debt dependency.
He also urged regional unity, saying the GERD should remind neighboring nations that “the path to peace and prosperity lies not in division, but in working together to harness our shared resources.”
The inauguration ceremony, marking a historic achievement for Ethiopia, was attended by several esteemed leaders, including Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, and African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Citizens across Ethiopia took to the streets in celebration, emphasizing the dam’s national significance.
The GERD is expected to provide electricity to an estimated 35 million Ethiopians and has the potential to supply surplus energy to neighboring countries, reinforcing regional energy cooperation and integration. Kenya’s engagement with the project reflects a strategic move to strengthen energy partnerships and drive industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development in East Africa.